Thursday, October 15, 2009

By John LarsonSOCORRO – A San Antonio woman died Saturday, Oct. 10, as a result of a single vehicle accident about one mile south of Socorro on Interstate 25.Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Lukesh said Monica Romero, 20, was traveling southbound when she lost control of her 2002 Ford Ranger at mile marker 146.“A witness who was traveling northbound reported that the pickup left the roadway, overcorrected, and ran off the other side of the roadway, rolling multiple times before coming to rest on its top,” Lukesh said. He said the vehicle rolled eight times and that speed was a factor in the crash.Romero was pronounced deceased at Socorro General Hospital. Lukesh said she was wearing a seatbelt. The accident was not alcohol or drug related. A 2007 graduate of Magdalena High School where she won numerous awards in leadership and 4-Hand, Romero was a Socorro County Fair and Rodeo Queen attendant. She was currently working toward a degree in medical sonography as a sophomore at New Mexico State University.

By John LarsonMAGDALENA – With 54 percent of the vote, Charlie Wagner retained his position on the Socorro Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees for District V.The vote was split between three candidates with Godin Otero closest to defeating Wagner.Quemado School Superintendent Bill Green served as chairman of the Saturday, Oct. 10, meeting, which lasted about one and a half hours.In a statement during the business meeting, outgoing District III Trustee Juan Gonzales was allowed to make a statement in which he claimed that fellow board member Wagner was from Louisiana and doesn’t understand how the co-op operates. He also said that he hopes incoming trustees will learn about how the board is supposed to function.Seven resolutions were passed and will be considered at the general membership meeting in April in Socorro.District V trustee Jack Bruton offered a proposition cutting out contributions to anything but student scholarships.Other propositions included two term limit for trustees; a reduction of trustees from 11 to five with appropriate redistricting; reducing the number of board meetings from two to one per month and allowing cooperative member-owners to address the board during the meeting without prior approval; allowing voting by mail; and requiring transparency of actions with open access to SEC books, records, audits, and membership lists to members, for a proper, non commercial purpose with the exception of those records which would violate the Privacy Act.Green ended the meeting by reminding the audience that their participation in the annual meeting in April was vital to the democratic principles of a member owned electric cooperative.

By John LarsonSOCORRO – Local artist Patrick Richard asked the Socorro City Council Oct. 5 to reconsider a previous request to allow a historical marker to be placed in the area of a Socorro policeman’s report of an unidentified flying object. The location of Lonnie Zamora’s 1964 experience is in an arroyo about a quarter of a mile north of Park Street on Raychester Road. The report attracted the attention of the U.S. Air Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and related agencies.According to official files, the sighting remains unexplained, Richard said.Mayor Dr. Ravi Bhasker said the city was “ready to put it up,” but that questions remained on what the wording on the marker would be, and agreement between the city, the owner of the property, and a church which is adjacent to the site.“The content of what [the plaque] says is instrumental in it going up,” City Clerk Pat Salome said.Richard’s request comes at a time when the Zamora sighting has been challenged as an elaborate prank perpetrated by New Mexico Tech students in 1964. According to a copyrighted article by Anthony Bragalia that has been posted on several blogs on the Internet within the last month, a hand-written note to Nobelist Linus Pauling in 1965 by Stirling Colgate, Tech President from 1964 to 1973, indicates that Colgate personally knew the student who “engineered the hoax,” and that it was a “no-brainer.” Although investigators from the Air Force and FBI found Zamora’s experience “unexplained,” the incident was interpreted by UFO researchers as the landing of an extraterrestrial spacecraft piloted by aliens.Zamora, in interviews immediately after the incident, stated that he had radioed the police department as the object departed, telling Sgt. Chavez, the dispatcher, that the object looked like a balloon.The decision on whether to install a plaque or marker near the sighting is now up the city council.Bhasker said in order to move forward on the request it would be important to have an agreement in writing from Zamora.In other business:Former mixed martial arts promoter James Burleson proposed that the city promote itself more actively to the movie industry. He said if a movie studio chose to film here it would benefit the economy of Socorro. “It would mean the hiring of a lot of local people and help local merchants and restaurants,” Burleson said. “It would also mean more business for hotels and rental property for up to six months.” Chamber of Commerce Director Terry Tadano said the chamber has worked with the film industry, and have film location images on its web site, including Bosque del Apache, Fort Craig, the VLA, and other sites. “They have called, and we are ready if they are interested in filming in the area,” Tadano said.

Pictured: City Councilor Gordy Hicks (left) in the arroyo, describing what he remembers the day after the sighting. Also pictured, Socorro Tourism Director Deborah Dean.Photo by John Larson

By John LarsonSOCORRO – A good idea helped a Socorro high School freshman win the second place prize in a science competition the 11th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge on the Discovery Channel last week.Nico Seamons, a freshman at Socorro high School, was still in the eighth grade at Cottonwood Valley Charter School when he devised a simple system to help lower cooling costs during summer months. This invention got him into the final competition.He showed how an ordinary garden hose, punctured with tiny holes and arrayed along the edge of a roof, could use the principle of evaporation to keep adobe houses cool.Nico was one of 10 semifinalists ranging in age from eight to 14 flown to New York, Monday, Oct. 5, for the half-day final competition.In the first event, the students presented their own inventions, made of ordinary household products. Nico’s invention was a disposable bug shield that attached to the front of a car of truck, that could also improve turbulent are flow. His presentation of that experiment can be viewed athttp://www.newsinfusion.com/youngscientist/discovery_innovation.html. It’s the second presentation in the video clip.In the second round, finalists were asked to purify water, and to separate man-made diamonds from a solid mixture. Next, they were challenged to remove stains and graffiti from replicas of New York City buildings without harming the surfaces. Nico, Nikita Gaurav of Oregon, and Marina Dimitrov of Montana, were the three winners chosen to compete in the day’s fourth and final event. Each had 50 minutes to design and build a tall structure that could withstand earthquake-level tremors – while holding an egg intact. Adult scientists from the 3M Corporation acted as building assistants, but the students alone did the planning and design.At the end of the 50 minutes, the three finalists’ structures were tested, one by one, on the earthquake simulator. None of the eggs survived, but each structure remained standing.For his efforts, Nico was awarded the Science Channel “Build it Bigger” prize, with a chance to go behind-the-scenes at Science Channel’s hit show, Build it Bigger. From the Hong Kong Bridge to the Panama Canal-Build it Bigger goes behind the scenes of some of the world’s most extreme engineering. He will have the one in a lifetime opportunity to visit one of these unique engineering marvels with alongside host Danny Forster.Nico says what fascinates him most about science is that “it helps people live better.”In an interview with the Discovery Channel he said, “there are many problems that need solutions, or things that could be improved to make out world a better place.“By solving one of these problems you know that your work will affect the whole world,” Nico said. “I really like pursuing projects involving mechanical engineering. To be able to have an idea, and then fabricate it and make it come true is always a wonderful experience.”Nico envisions a career in mechanical engineering, because he loves building things.“To be able to take an idea from paper and fabricate it into a 3-D working object is fantastic,” he said.When he’s not inventing something or preparing for Science Olympiad, Science Fair, or MESA, Nico on the practice field as a member of the Socorro High School soccer team.His parents are Janet Coursey and John Seamons. He also has a younger brother, Paco Coursey.

Monica Renee Romero, 20, passed away Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Socorro, N.M.She was born June 24, 1989, in Socorro, N.M., to Pablo and Christina (Marin) Romero. Monica is a graduate of Magdalena High School. She was presently attending New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Branch and was working at a day care center. Monica is survived by her parents, of the family home in San Antonito, N.M.; her brother, Gerardo Romero of San Antonito; her sisters: Nadya and Senaida Romero, both of San Antonito; her boyfriend, Warren Gordon; her grandparents, Lorenzo and Lillie Marin of Las Cruces, N.M.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A Rosary was at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at the San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at San Miguel with Father Andy Pavlak as celebrant. Burial will be in the San Antonito Cemetery. Pallbearers are Gerardo Romero, Warren Gordon, Mike Padilla, Franklin Jaramillo-Marquez, Frank Masterson and Briar Bille. Honorary Pallbearers are Dominic C. Romero, Mario Marin, Jacob Marin, Andrew Aragon and the rest of her many friends and family members. Arrangements by Steadman-Hall Funeral Home, Socorro.

Alamo Indian Days 2009 was everything that everyone hoped for last Saturday and Sunday. The festive mood was obvious as little girls dressed in fabulous traditional native American regalia walked about the huge crowd and stopped along the midway to pose for visitors requesting photos. The carnival atmosphere and wonderful aromas of the foods being prepared by the vendors kept everyone moving from booth to booth and enjoying a plethora of scrumptious delights.Saturday’s events started by a colorful parade with beautiful floats, wonderful horses and riders and several live bands playing all types of music along the way. The float participants were all dressed in dazzling regalia and traditional jewelry. All the princes, princesses and the queen, Ms. Latanya Apache, sat on colorful hand sewn rugs and blankets upon the various floats with wonderful, differing hair styles. After the parade made its way to Walter’s Park, the military colors were presented by two Native American World War II veteran heroes from Alamo. Presentation of the Colors was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance in both Navajo and English by last year’s Miss Teen Alamo Josephine Stanton. Visiting dignitaries were introduced and everyone was invited to enjoy the day.The celebration was truly a success, and the music and colorful dancing was spectacular. The weekend’s crowd was over 2,000 people. Nice cool breezes with temperatures hovering around 75 degrees for both days, almost as if it was custom ordered. Everyone who came to Indian Days could not get over how hospitable all of the Alamo residents were throughout the festivities. There were mechanical bucking bulls, carnival hammers and twisters and jumpers and slides along with exciting carnival games of all kinds for kids and families. They even had a bingo game going all day and night. It was apparent that the planners behind the scenes of the Alamo Days celebration really did their homework and thought of everything. It was truly a comfortable and fun time for all. I left with a great hometown feeling and a really full stomach.I hadn’t been to the Alamo Indian Days for a few years and it reminded me just how wonderful the celebration had been in the past.Life races by at break neck speed and we become tied up and little slowed down in the everyday habits in around our own back yards, and forget just how fabulous getting out into the great outdoors and visiting our truly great neighbors in Alamo can be. I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to cover Alamo Indian Days for the Mountain Mail.I’ve already realized one of my first good reasons for wanting to be a part of this newspaper. It’s about the people who make Socorro and Catron counties so very special. It’s about rekindling those old friendships with people I hadn’t seen in some time. It’s a very short and pleasant drive through some of the prettiest country around and friendly, funny and genuinely good people are there waiting for you when you arrive.I can’t think of a better place to spend a weekend than with the people at Alamo Indian Days on the reservation. No matter how big the world seems to grow around you, it truly is the small things in life that make it worth living. Hope to see you all there next year so we can have another great visit.

Even with the flu in the works, a very respectable number of village residents and folks from Datil participated Saturday in the Socorro Electric Cooperative election of District 5 board member. Charles Wagner will return to represent the district for the next four years. Peace PrizeA Peace Prize of Hope that’s what they are calling this year’s peace prize awarded to President Obama. Many people, including President Obama, are saying he hasn’t done anything to earn it yet. Many of those same people don’t want to give him the chance to do it.Actually, there is something he hasn’t done and didn’t do, to aid the cause of peace within our own borders. His “don’t look back” policy is designed to save a number of people from trials as war criminals. Growing up in a conservative family, I was encouraged to think the United States would try ANY war criminal, anywhere – even conservative republicans should they commit crimes against humanity. In the name of finding peace within our borders, we probably won’t be doing that.The world has hopes that with Obama we won’t be sending aid, weapons and support to people busy killing their own people. We won’t go to war for profit alone. We won’t take out governments of other countries for industries, like United Fruit. We might get more honest with our own people. Like we don’t just fight for freedom, we’ve been just as willing to take out (covertly ... secret only from our own people) democracies.In this last year, in the world, we have gone from being the biggest badland to once again being a land of hope. We earned our bad reputation. The facts are out there, check it out. I was in denial about this for a very long time. When I heard all the covert dirty tricks we’d pulled all I thought of was how fast we were willing to come to the aid of those in crisis and need. The citizens of the United States are so special in that way.Nothing creates the political left wing faster then the political right wing. Nothing makes the left wing behave like the right wing faster then being in power. Balance.The root of this worldwide merry-go-round is in our personal self-concepts. Demanding a sense of self worth from outside ourselves. Self worth from comparison and competition. The end justifying the means. What natural or spiritual law says you can have great value, while another has little or none? Only street gang politics will tell you that.My conservative family branded me a socialist while I was still a young republican reading all of Barry Goldwater’s books. Why? I thought the Golden Rule, they taught me, was pretty good. That was still the cold war and I am sure somewhere in Russia a teen “got in trouble” because she thought an individual had worth. How often in their arrogance and insecurity do the far right and the far left create their own enemies?As this struggle continues, who benefits? We pay our Senators and Congressmen $162,000 a year, plus benefits. Lobbyists have paid out over $1.63 billion so far this year to those they wish to influence. You’re still free to look into it.Friends of the LibraryStock up on goodies at the Friends of Animals Bake Sale booth at the Magdalena Schools Halloween Carnival in the New Gym from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29.London Frontier TheatreThe London Frontier Theatre Company will present an encore performance of “The Ballad of Babe and Beau.” The performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.

Don and Margaret Wiltshire live and write in Magdalena. Their opinions do not necessarily represent the Mountain Mail.

The girls in Mrs. Azza Ezzat’s Forensic Science class at Socorro High School traveled to San Diego on September 20 to explore careers in science.The trip was part of a grant that supports opportunities for women. The students visited the lab of the forensic science department at National University, attended lectures and came back on September 23. The girls had the chance to learn about career prospects in the field of forensic science as a non-traditional profession. The first day, the students heard a lecture about the importance of soil in forensic science, and visited a lab where they learned to compare different known soil samples with an unknown soil to decide which one belong to a suspected crime scene. The second day, the lecture was presented by the forensic scientist who discussed medical investigation into rape, abortions and blood. In the second lab they learned how to determine from the distribution of blood drops at what angle and height they came from. The girls who attended the learning experience were Kim Long, Samantha Acosta, Dianna Herrera, Alma Leon, Veronica Padilla, Jordan Winningham, Anika Driver and Nicole Engler. The students were also chaperoned by Mrs. Trujillo. The field trip was also a chance for some the girls to experience flying for the first time and enjoy the ocean.

The Lady Warriors continue to rack up big district soccer wins. Last week they defeated Hatch Valley 6-0 and at home against Ruidoso on Tuesday they won 6-0. Socorro coach Mitch Carrejo said that Socorro hopes to make some noise at the state tournament this year.Socorro (16-3) hosted Santa Fe Prep at Wednesday, Oct. 14. Then they will host Hatch at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20. There are three games left until the state tournament. “I’m expecting a pretty good game,” Socorro coach Mitch Carrejo said. “They’re big, they’re physical. They were last year and they are again this year.”Socorro’s only losses this year have been to Class 5A Carlsbad (18-1), Bloomfield (9-6), and Bosque School (12-4), the defending 3A state champions.“I told the girls that competitively we’re on, if we just work a little harder,” Carrejo said. “If we get to state we have a shot at it this year. It’s not just a two- or three-team race this year. They have to include us in there. We have the potential to play with these teams this year that we haven’t had in the last couple of years.” Katy Welch, a three-year starting defender for the Lady Warriors, has been out with an injury for a couple of weeks. She played a bit yesterday against Ruidoso but she wasn’t 100 percent. Carrejo said that he wanted to work her in slowly, save her a little bit and see if he could get her healthy for state.“Everybody is contributing,” Carrejo said. “Yesterday against Ruidoso … four of our girls scored. We’re trying to get more girls involved in scoring. We’ve been relying on Desiree Armijo.” Armijo has scored 36 goals this year and is the leading scorer in the state. Against Ruidoso, Armijo and Jenell Lopez each scored two goals. Victoria Lopez and Angelina Stanzione each score one goal.

By Polo C’ de BacaFor the Mountain MailMAGDALENA – The Steers football team won over the tenacious Sea Lions of Bataan Military Academy 60-32 on Friday. Every time the Steers looked like they would run away with the game the Academy team inched up to keep the game interesting.Magdalena (3-4) will travel to Reserve (6-1) on Friday to play the Mountaineers at 2 p.m.Reserve is having its best season in recent years and only has lost to Tatum. Bryce Milligan, Reggie Peralta and Robbie Zamora scored early to put Magdalena on top 20-0 half way throught the first quarter.Bataan scored twice to cut the lead to 20-12. Wyatt Billy scored for Magdalena putting the Steers up 26-12 and Milligan caught another touchdown pass to put the Steers up 32-18. Zamora scored again and a safety had Magdalena up 40-18 at the half.Bataan scored twice in the third quarter to cut the Steers lead to 40-32. Zamora scored off right tackle to give Magdalena a little breathing room at 48-32 the score at the end of the third quarter. Milligan scored the final touchdown of the game for a 60-32 victory.Magdalena will be on the road against Reserve at 2 p.m. Saturday. Marquez said that they tried some new plays that they were working on preparing for district. “We executed very well,” Marquez said. “We’ll probably have that offense in the future. When I subbed the young guys in the fourth quarter they stepped up and did a great job. A lot of people had some big gains for us but that Robbie Zamora, he moved the ball.”

By Polo C' de BacaThe Lady Steers of Magdalena are boasting a (13-3) season after defeating To’Hajillee on Friday in four, Temple Academy on Saturday in three and Alamo in three on Tuesday.Magdalena is scheduled to play Quemado on Thursday but because of illness the game may not be played. On Saturday the Lady Steers travel to play Gallup Catholic at noon and on Tuesday the Lady Steers will host the Lady Cougars of Alamo at 4 p.m.SocorroSocorro’s volleyball team was on the road this week winning at Thoreau in three then losing to Hatch in five in a back and forth contest. Socorro (7-7) will host Cobre (6-6) at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Lady Warriors lost to Cobre in four in their first game of the season in late September.“We’ll take every game one game at a time and try to pull out the win,” Socorro coach Marleen Greenwood said. Socorro started slow in the first game with Thoreau and had to come from behind to win. Greenwood said that in the second game she made some adjustments that made a difference“All though it didn’t go really well, we’ll accept the win,” she said. Greenwood said that the game with Hatch was much like the game Socorro played when they hosted Valencia and lost the see-saw battle in five. Hatch has an impressive record (10-4, 1-0). Hatch went ahead 12-1 in the first game and ended up defeating Socorro 25-8. “They totally stomped us in the first game,” Greenwood said.Socorro turned the tables and won the second game, lost the third game, won the fourth then lost the fifth.“Hatch is the team to beat in our district,” Greenwood said. QuemadoThe Quemado volleyball team lost at Animas in three on Saturday then hosted Reserve on Tuesday and won in three 25-17, 25-4, 25-8.The Lady Eagles are scheduled to play in Magdalena on Thursday but because of illness she is not certain the game will be played.Animas (7-3) will play in Quemado (4-8) at 10 a.m. Saturday then at 4 p.m. the Lady Eagles will also host Mountainair on Saturday. Quemado coach Nichole Sanders said that illness has depleted her team severely.

In addition to seeing the colors change on the trees, the hunters in their camouflage and the cold crispness in the air a sure sign of autumn here in the Luna valley is that of the ranchers riding and gathering their cows for the fall shipping ritual. Reading the Luna history book it shows the many years of changes ranching families made and finally how to haul a cow was practically unheard of until the late 1920s to the early 1930s; before then the rancher always saddled his horse and drove a cow wherever she was to go. Early on when Luna trail drives were being made, there were no fenced driveways and no wells every fifteen miles along the trail. It was a major change when the railroad was put into McNary, Ariz., and instead of Magdalena the ranchers began driving their cattle to the closer of the destinations. Times had a way of changing again though and eventually buyers even found their way coming into Luna or the ranchers opted for new sales rings in Socorro or Deming. Luna Community CenterA correction from last week’s election announcement has come to my attention; the official voting results for the seven Luna Community Center board members: Jerry Boerner chairman; Howard Kolinoski vice chairman; Jeannette Jackson secretary-treasurer; Alberta Nicolds library; and members Evelyn Williams, Diana Moyers, and Dianna Dankworth. Congratulations to them and we offer all of our support their willingness to serve our community. Good Thoughts and PrayersWe send good thoughts and prayers to Clifford Mitchell during his recovery this week from heart surgery. Also love to Lou Ann and their extended family during this time. Preparedness CornerOrders for December 4 canning will be due October 25. Contact Joyce Laney for further information. Quote of the Week“Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.” – Pablo Picasso

Martha’s and Mary’s Thrift Store will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Oct 17. The store is on Highway 12 next to the fire station in Apache Creek and is open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Donations are accepted and may be dropped off during open hours. A special sale will be held November 7 as a fund raiser to “Support our Troops”. More details in upcoming issues of the Mt. Mail.CommoditiesCommodities will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct 17 at the Quemado Community Center. Please more information call Dorothy Kalberg at 773-4582.FellowshipWomen’s Fellowship Luncheon will be at noon Tuesday, Oct 20, in the Cowboy Church located off Hwy 32 near Quemado. The luncheon will have a mexican menu with a speaker to follow. Questions or more information, please call Janene at 773-4739.PoachingNew Mexico Game and Fish Officer Mischa Larisch is responsible for Game Management Unit 15 and the southern portion of GMU 12. With hunting season is in full swing with fire arm and archery season beginning, he would like to remind people to always be careful out there and remember Operation Game Thief to report Poaching 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Quemado School NewsTracy William’s second grade class will be participating in an eight week safety program beginning Monday, Oct 19. “Protecting You - Protecting Me” is put on by the Catron County DWI program. Letha Shannon with the DWI program will present the first class. The program teach younges children how to be safe in situations with impaired drivers and the dangerous affects of alcohol. Class fall pictures will be Oct 22. Junior high and junior varsity volleyball games are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Reserve. “Child Find” will take be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct 26. Pre-school children get evaluated for special services before then start school next fall. For more information, call 773-4645.Senior CenterRemember the dinner and entertainment fund raiser Friday, Oct 16; dinner at 4:30 p.m. for $6.50 with a “Portrail of Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider and President” by Randy Milligan at 6 p.m. Pool tournament is at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 20. The quilting group meets Wednesdays and Thursdays. Bingo starts at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The centers phone number is 773-4820. Rodi RocksRodi Rocks is beginning their winter hours and operation. Please call 773-4277 to schedule pickup, deliveries and for any other information. Rodi supplies our area with materials ranging from gravel up to landscape boulders.If you know of anything going on , call me at 773-4119 or email at mmquemado@hotmail.com.By Debbie LeschnerMartha’s and Mary’s Thrift Store will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Oct 17. The store is on Highway 12 next to the fire station in Apache Creek and is open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Donations are accepted and may be dropped off during open hours. A special sale will be held November 7 as a fund raiser to “Support our Troops”. More details in upcoming issues of the Mt. Mail.CommoditiesCommodities will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct 17 at the Quemado Community Center. Please more information call Dorothy Kalberg at 773-4582.FellowshipWomen’s Fellowship Luncheon will be at noon Tuesday, Oct 20, in the Cowboy Church located off Hwy 32 near Quemado. The luncheon will have a mexican menu with a speaker to follow. Questions or more information, please call Janene at 773-4739.PoachingNew Mexico Game and Fish Officer Mischa Larisch is responsible for Game Management Unit 15 and the southern portion of GMU 12. With hunting season is in full swing with fire arm and archery season beginning, he would like to remind people to always be careful out there and remember Operation Game Thief to report Poaching 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Quemado School NewsTracy William’s second grade class will be participating in an eight week safety program beginning Monday, Oct 19. “Protecting You - Protecting Me” is put on by the Catron County DWI program. Letha Shannon with the DWI program will present the first class. The program teach younges children how to be safe in situations with impaired drivers and the dangerous affects of alcohol. Class fall pictures will be Oct 22. Junior high and junior varsity volleyball games are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Reserve. “Child Find” will take be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct 26. Pre-school children get evaluated for special services before then start school next fall. For more information, call 773-4645.Senior CenterRemember the dinner and entertainment fund raiser Friday, Oct 16; dinner at 4:30 p.m. for $6.50 with a “Portrail of Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider and President” by Randy Milligan at 6 p.m. Pool tournament is at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 20. The quilting group meets Wednesdays and Thursdays. Bingo starts at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The centers phone number is 773-4820. Rodi RocksRodi Rocks is beginning their winter hours and operation. Please call 773-4277 to schedule pickup, deliveries and for any other information. Rodi supplies our area with materials ranging from gravel up to landscape boulders.If you know of anything going on , call me at 773-4119 or email at mmquemado@hotmail.com.Quemado NewsBy Debbie LeschnerMartha’s and Mary’s Thrift Store will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Oct 17. The store is on Highway 12 next to the fire station in Apache Creek and is open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Donations are accepted and may be dropped off during open hours. A special sale will be held November 7 as a fund raiser to “Support our Troops”. More details in upcoming issues of the Mt. Mail.CommoditiesCommodities will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct 17 at the Quemado Community Center. Please more information call Dorothy Kalberg at 773-4582.FellowshipWomen’s Fellowship Luncheon will be at noon Tuesday, Oct 20, in the Cowboy Church located off Hwy 32 near Quemado. The luncheon will have a mexican menu with a speaker to follow. Questions or more information, please call Janene at 773-4739.PoachingNew Mexico Game and Fish Officer Mischa Larisch is responsible for Game Management Unit 15 and the southern portion of GMU 12. With hunting season is in full swing with fire arm and archery season beginning, he would like to remind people to always be careful out there and remember Operation Game Thief to report Poaching 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Quemado School NewsTracy William’s second grade class will be participating in an eight week safety program beginning Monday, Oct 19. “Protecting You - Protecting Me” is put on by the Catron County DWI program. Letha Shannon with the DWI program will present the first class. The program teach younges children how to be safe in situations with impaired drivers and the dangerous affects of alcohol. Class fall pictures will be Oct 22. Junior high and junior varsity volleyball games are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Reserve. “Child Find” will take be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct 26. Pre-school children get evaluated for special services before then start school next fall. For more information, call 773-4645.Senior CenterRemember the dinner and entertainment fund raiser Friday, Oct 16; dinner at 4:30 p.m. for $6.50 with a “Portrail of Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider and President” by Randy Milligan at 6 p.m. Pool tournament is at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 20. The quilting group meets Wednesdays and Thursdays. Bingo starts at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. The centers phone number is 773-4820. Rodi RocksRodi Rocks is beginning their winter hours and operation. Please call 773-4277 to schedule pickup, deliveries and for any other information. Rodi supplies our area with materials ranging from gravel up to landscape boulders.If you know of anything going on , call me at 773-4119 or email at mmquemado@hotmail.com.

RingWorm, Sylvia and I hastened headlong across the yard to where hordes of heathen mice were dragging a bedraggled Gordo, who was one sorry-looking cat. They were joined by even more mice exiting from my house.“Hurry!” yelled Sylvia. “The mice have seen through Gordo’s disguise and they’re going to lynch him and steal all our gold.”A couple of packrats, carrying a hank of rope I recognized as once being mine, joined the lynching party. They were followed by a large mouse flopping along on his sticky trap.“Stop, stop!” I yelled at the mice who totally ignored me as more and more of them raced to attack Gordo, whose mouse disguise was now in tatters.“What’ll we do?” I shouted at Sylvia who seemed intent only on the battered chest containing what she thought was gold. Like Gordo, it was considerably worse for the wear from its fall from the broken wagon.“The gold’s in that chest,” Sylvia cried. “You distract the mice and I’ll grab the chest and hide it.”“How am I supposed to distract them?” I questioned in protest.Sylvia looked blank until RingWorm caught up with us and whispered in her ear.“Get the DeCon,” Sylvia relayed. “The mice love it. They’ve been eating it like candy all month. Just spread it around.”Thinking I must be more than crazy to be following the directions of an ancient cat relayed to an over-eager dog, I ran into the house and gathered all the DeCon from my bedroom where it lined the floor along the walls. I threw it into a plastic bag and raced back outside, scattering DeCon over the yard like Johnny Appleseed.A mighty cry arose from the mice who were now numbering in the hundreds. They rushed to the DeCon, dropping Gordo in a sorry heap. Tangled in the remnants of his mouse suit, he was unable to rise.The two packrats were engaged in rigging a noose on a ponderosa tree and paid no attention to the DeCon party or the dropped prisoner.“Now’s your chance,” said Sylvia. “You grab Gordo while I get the chest of gold.”“There’s one thing wrong with that plan,” I said. “Gordo never lets me pick him up. He’ll allow me to feed him alright and once in a while to pat him on the head. But pick him up – never.”RingWorm meowed something which must have been in agreement for Sylvia said, “I’ll get Gordo then and you pick up the chest. Mind you’re careful with it and don’t under any circumstances peek inside. Synchronize your watch and –“ “What am I supposed to synchronize it with since you and RingWorm don’t have watches?”“Don’t bother me with details. We’re in crisis mode now. On my count of three head for your objective. Once you’ve accomplished your mission, run for the house. When we’re all inside, barricade the doors.”RingWorm began meowing frantically.“What’s she saying?” I asked while making sure my shoelaces were tied.Sylvia hissed, “She says she and Gordo aren’t allowed in the house because you’re allergic to cats.”“I’ll make an exception this time and endure watery eyes. We’d better hurry. The mice have scarfed up most of the DeCon.”“One, two, three. Forward ho-o-o-o,” cried Sylvia in her best John Wayne manner.She was much faster than me and before I reached the small chest she was racing toward the house with the nape of Gordo’s neck clenched in her teeth, looking less like John Wayne and more like a mama cat.The packrats were scrambling down the tree by the time I snatched the chest from the demolished wagon and took off for the house. That caused the dirty rats and mice to set off a mighty hue and cry. I am proud to say that I ran the way I used to 40 years ago and outdistanced the pursuers. However I ruined the entire effect by tripping on the porch steps sending the chest scooting through the front door which RingWorm was holding open.As I picked myself up to the sound of Gordo’s frightened wails I could see what appeared to be gold coins tumbling out of the now completely smashed chest.… To be continued and possibly concluded next week

Photos of wildlife at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge by sixth generation New Mexican Joe Roybal are featured in an exhibit at Macey Center’s Mezzanine Gallery on the New Mexico Tech campus. An artist reception will be held Friday, Oct. 16, at Macey Center.Twenty-six of these images taken on May 29, along with 20 other Roybal photos of Bosque scenes in other months, are displayed in the showing. The exhibit, titled “One Day in May at Bosque del Apache: Photos by Joe Roybal”, was produced for the Friends of the Bosque del Apache by volunteer p.r. director John Bertrand.Like many visitors to Bosque del Apache, photographer Roybal has discovered that some of the most enchanted moments on the refuge occur outside the heavily-visited winter months. With this in mind, Roybal began shooting at 2:07 p.m. May 12 along the refuge’s Wildlife Tour Loop, completing his assault at 7:57 p.m.In less than six hours, he bagged 17 species of Bosque’s birds, deer and amphibians without disturbing a feather, hair or wrinkle of any of them.Even though many regard May as Bosque’s “off-season”, the 17 bird, mammal and amphibian species photographed on May 29 were no surprise to Bosque regulars. The exhibit notes that 126 bird species were recorded on the refuge in the May 9, International Migratory Bird Day count.Roybal’s family connection to New Mexico dates from 1706, when the King of Spain awarded the Jacona Land Grant in northern New Mexico to his ancestor Ignacio Roybal.He took his first photo at Bosque del Apache in Dec. 1989, with a Kodak Instamatic camera, and has been photographing at Bosque ever since. He now shoots digitally with a Nikon D200.Roybal’s photos have been published in New Mexico Magazine, New Mexico Wildlife, Washington Post, Santa Fean Magazine, among others.The gallery is open for viewing weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and evenings preceding scheduled programs in the auditorium. The exhibit will remain on display through November 15.A reception will be held Friday, Oct. 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., preceding the Performing Arts Series “Lula Washington Dance Theater” performance.

Stargazers from all over the country will be converging on New Mexico Tech for the 16th Annual Enchanted Skies Star Party.Activities planned for the five day event, which began Tuesday, include trips to the Magdalena Ridge Observatory, White Sands Missile Range, and the El Camino Real International Heritage Center.This year the Enchanted Skies Star Party is bringing NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld to deliver the keynote address, open to the public at 7 p.m. Friday at the Fidel Center ballroom on the third floor.Grunsfeld is no stranger to Socorro and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, having done research at the Very Large Array, and in 2002, carried a logo flag of the NRAO aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, returning that flag to Socorro following the flight.Besides the VLA, Grunsfeld has used the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, X-ray astronomy satellites, and optical telescopes, including Hubble, in his research in X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, high-energy cosmic rays, and work on new detectors and instrumentation.Grunsfeld has been with NASA since 1992, and made his first of five Shuttle flights in 1995. He has also been Chief of the Computer Support Branch of the Astronaut Office, Chief of the Extravehicular Activity Branch, and NASA Chief Scientist.Grunsfeld completed the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in May. He is an astrophysicist and veteran of five Space Shuttle flights, three of them servicing missions to Hubble. He has logged more than 58 days in space and nearly 59 hours in space walks.Grunsfeld will deliver his address Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.Organizers say the Star Party offers a unique Southwestern Astronomy experience. With many exciting features, the four day event includes a unique opportunity for a night of observing at an elevation of 10,600 feet.Dark sky observing, astronomy workshops, door prizes, lectures, and insider tours of the Very Large Array and the Magdalena Ridge Observatory fill the five day schedule.Nightly observing, lectures, and camping will take place at the Etscorn Campus Observatory and at the official “Dark Sky Site,” the El Camino Real International Heritage Center, 30 miles south of Socorro.Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. is the chuck-wagon dinner at El Camino Real International Heritage Center. Southwestern music will be performed live by Doug Figgs. Following dinner at 7 p.m. is the campfire lecture “Sky Stories of Ancient America,” presented by G. B. Cornucopia, of the U.S. National Park Service.The Enchanted Skies Star Party is sponsored by the New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the City of Socorro, the Magdalena Ridge Observatory, New Mexico Tech, The El Camino Real International Heritage Center, and New Mexico State Monuments.